Wonderful Waterfalls Everywhere

Cascade waterfalls on the edge of the snow line - like Deception Falls on U.S. 2 - are on-again, off-again propositions this time of year, when snow can block access. But properly equipped wet-weather hikers should be able to muck their way to a handful of other Western Washington waterfalls:

-- Feature Show Falls, Boulder River. A spindly, graceful falls on the far side of the Boulder River, which is snow-free most of the year. From Highway 530 eight miles east of Oso, follow French Creek Road 2010 about 4.5 miles south to the trailhead. The falls is about a mile down the mostly level path.

-- Wallace Falls, Gold Bar. A local classic, Wallace Falls plunges 260 feet above the town of Gold Bar. It's accessible via a pair of trails that climb about 2.5 miles to the falls. Snow-free almost all year. Follow signs from U.S. 2 at Gold Bar.

-- North Fork Falls, Sauk River. This impressive, punchbowl falls is just off the Mountain Loop Highway. From Highway 530 at Darrington, follow Sauk River Road 20 15.5 miles south to Road 49. Turn left and drive just over a mile to Trail 660. The falls overview is less than half a mile.

-- Granite Falls. A thunderous, long, cascading falls on the South Fork Stillaguamish, near the town bearing its name. The falls are 1.5 miles north of Granite Falls, off the Mountain Loop Highway.

-- Twin Falls, North Bend. One of the Seattle area's most easily accessible, all-year falls, Twin Falls is reached by a pleasant, 1.25-mile hike through moss-draped forest on the South Fork Snoqualmie. Take Interstate 90, Exit 34, Edgewick Road, turn right and follow signs to Twin Falls State Park.

-- Marymere Falls, Lake Crescent. Marymere is a graceful, 90-foot plunge in deep forest near Olympic National Park's Storm King Ranger Station, 22 miles west of Port Angeles.

-- Soleduck Falls. Soleduck can be visited on the same drive as Marymere, above. From U.S. 101 west of Lake Crescent, follow Soleduck Road about 13 miles to the trailhead parking area at the end of the road. Hike about one mile to the picturesque falls.

For weather and road updates, check with the Outdoor Recreation Information Center at the downtown REI, 206-470-4060.